Rudd talks safety with students

FORMER Labor PM Kevin Rudd got more than he bargained for when he visited Tweed's St Joseph's Catholic Primary School on Monday.

Mr Rudd took to the campaign trail with Tweed Labor candidates Michael Armstrong and Reece Byrnes and local MP Justine Elliot to launch the 'Safer Schools, Safer Kids' plan to improve school safety and access for local school children.

Mr Rudd toured the school to speak with students and inspect the School's 'Building the Education Revolution' Projects.

But the former PM got thrown a few curved balls from students during question time.

"Are you rich?" was one question, to which Mr Rudd humbly answered "well, I'm well off."

He advised students not to pursue a political career if they wanted to be rich.

Mr Rudd said the Tweed Labor candidates were "fine young men" that would uphold Labor's vision in council if elected by pressuring the council to use its resources to improve school safety for students.

"The safety of kids should be the number one, two and three priorities of any government," he said.

"The subject of road safety is where the rubber literally hits the road.

"There is nothing more horrific than hearing of a kid injured on the road.

"A child's safety is something that can never be taken for granted."

This was Mr Rudd's second formal event with the Tweed Labor team.

Tweed candidate Michael Armstrong said Labor's plan to improve safety and access for local school children would include an audit of all roads, footpaths and pedestrian crossings near local schools.

"This will highlight where work is needed immediately to improve school safety," he said.

"Some families are going to and from school using substandard roads, footpaths and pedestrian crossings.

"Our children deserve to have the best possible access ...and it is up to our local council to deliver."